College student who drowned in Lake Lanier identified

Sadly, divers located the victim, a 21-year-old male, about 35 feet from the boat ramp where they first spotted his jet ski running in circles.

Author:
Christopher Buchanan

Published:
4:21 PM EDT September 2, 2017

Updated:
1:32 PM EDT September 4, 2017

Officials have identified a Florida college student, and Suwanee native, who was found dead in Lake Lanier on Friday while home for the holiday weekend.

Firefighters responded to the east bank of the lake near 1380 Buford Dam Road around 6:52 p.m. where they found a jet ski circling without a rider not far from a boat ramp.

Crews from both Gwinnett and Hall counties then converged on the lake working alongside the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to search for a potentially missing rider.

Sadly, divers located the victim, later identified as 21-year-old Bailey Dean O'Shields, about 35 feet from the boat ramp. Fire officials have since learned that victim was home visiting family for the Labor Day holiday.

The victim's mother told officials that he went to the lake earlier in the evening to ride his jet ski. She said that was the last time she saw him.

At this time, it's not clear what led to his death, however, officials said he was not found wearing a life vest when he was found. That and his personal items were both found with the jet ski.